What Colleges Want for High Schoolers Taking AP Classes

[Shay10825]

Now I'm probably going to get kicked out of MSE and be forced to leave the school. I'm really really doing bad in calc. I had a C but I just took a quiz and it brought my grade down. I made a really stupid mistake so I got part a wrong. Since I got part a wrong I got part b, c, d, e . . . wrong also . She said if I could convince her that I knew the calc stuff she would see what she could do with my grade(i made an algebra mistake). But how can I convince her?

 

[Shay10825]

Also, you should ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing. If it is just to "get a good job" as you say, that will probably not turn out to be a satisfying reason. Ideally you must enjoy what you do regardless of money, status and prestige.

I was doing it because it was fun. Now it's hell.

 

[kreil]

I see a few general things wrong with your view:

1) It seems you think as if everything is going to snowball and if you don't get your grades up immediately you will be screwed for life. Fact is, you would have to screw up for the next 7 or so years to mess things up to the point where you are in bad shape, and I don't see that happening.
2) If you are going to take science just to get a "good job" it shouldn't be your major. Of course, money is always a concern, but you should study a subject you enjoy. Who wants to rot for 40 years while doing something that sucks, even though it pays well? In the end you will realize you could have enjoyed that time doing something else. You have no obligations when choosing a major, you just need to think about it hard.
3) A runner that places last in the Olympics is still a world class athlete. Similarly, a student that goes to a school of your caliber and does awful is still a very smart person. They don't accept just anyone.

Also, I found myself feeling very similar to the way you do last year when I was loaded with AP classes. Fact is, although it sounds very harsh, stop feeling sorry for yourself and just do the work! Everything you have done is over, and you can't change it. You only have control over what happens in the future, and it is your responsibility to worry about what is to come and not dwell on past failures. You need to find determination from this experience, not depression.


mil suerte

P.S. If you turn things around now and end high school doing fairly well, it would be an incredibly strong subject for a personal statement on your college applications. It would explain your bad grades, and show your strong character and determination!

 

[Andromeda321]

Ok, take a two deep breaths, your life is not over and nor will it end because of what you're going through. First and most pressing, the calc teacher and how to deal: flat out ask her what you can do to show her you know calculus. Any extra assignments you can do so you keep your C? There are few teachers out there who are going to have an algebraic mistake wreck your grade like that with no way out of it; if you've come across one she's a witch and it's probably better that you'd be out of her hair anyway. Also see if you can transfer maybe to the other calculus class for next term and enlist your parents to help.
Now about your questions regarding rank: I'll have you know I went to a prestigious academic high school but did not get good grades. My guidance teacher didn't like many people so despite the fact that my school does not rank students felt free to indicate just where I would be on my transcripts. Not even where I was, mind, that was never calculated, but where she GUESSED I would be so I wasn't very high at all (only learned all this by accident). But when it all came down to it I was in the most challenging courses I could be in and my other test scores etc were good so I got into two decent schools (Case Western Reserve University and Carnegie-Mellon University). Now that I hear from friends who went to Ivies about what life is like there I'm glad I am where I ended up because it doesn't sound like the life for me anyway.
Plus here's something else to think about: as you said, your school is one of the best in the country. I assure you a college admissions department will know this fact and keep it in mind when considering your application. They will also know you could've gone to some other school and gotten better grades but you instead wished to challenge yourself and they will admire that fact.
Best of luck in whatever you decide and kudos for getting as far as you have!

 

[Shay10825]

Ok, take a two deep breaths, your life is not over and nor will it end because of what you're going through.

Yeah I know but it feels like it is. I've been thinking too much about death and I need to stop before I do something really stupid. I've been crying every night because of this. I just can't help it. I've just been really depressed. I know every1 has said that grades don't matter but I just can't help it. I don't know why I'm like this. Now I understand why people commit suicide and do drugs.

flat out ask her what you can do to show her you know calculus. Any extra assignments you can do so you keep your C? There are few teachers out there who are going to have an algebraic mistake wreck your grade like that with no way out of it

I did. She said I can't do any extra assignments. She is one of those teachers that will let an algebra mistake kill my grade like that.

 

[learningphysics]

Yeah I know but it feels like it is. I've been thinking too much about death and I need to stop before I do something really stupid. I've been crying every night because of this. I just can't help it. I've just been really depressed. I know every1 has said that grades don't matter but I just can't help it. I don't know why I'm like this. Now I understand why people commit suicide and do drugs.



I did. She said I can't do any extra assignments. She is one of those teachers that will let an algebra mistake kill my grade like that.

Please talk to your parents. Let them know how stressed out you are about this. None of this is really that important... getting into a good college, getting a good job... It shouldn't cause this much anxiety. Talk to your parents. Do they know how much you're stressing over this?

 

[fiber]

what ever happened to schools being an institution of learning just for the knowledge?!

-lor4x

 

[so-crates]

what ever happened to schools being an institution of learning just for the knowledge?!

-lor4x

Sadly I believe many educators, especially at the secondary level, have forgotten this. Remaing "competitive in a global economy" and all that other nonsense has taken precedence.